Tiga expresses condolences to Free Radical

In the wake of the news that Nottingham-based developer Free Radical Design has closed its doors, Tiga has issued a statement expressing condolences on behalf of the games industry.

“On behalf of all Tiga members, I would like to say how sorry the whole industry is to hear of the fate of Free Radical Design. The studio has employed some very talented teams developing first class games over the years,” said Tiga’s CEO Richard Wilson.

“Free Radical Design has also been a member of Tiga and a strong supporter of our trade association. I would like to congratulate everyone at the studio for their past achievements and I wish everyone good fortune in finding a new job as quickly as possible.”

In the same statement Wilson also addressed the ongoing issue of the UK Government’s role in the games industry: “Last night, Lord Mandelson, the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), advocated a form of ‘market-based industrial activism’. This approach, he said, means that ‘Policy should be activist in the sense that it recognises that government can and must complement market dynamics to get the best outcomes for our society and economy.’

“The best outcome for the UK video games industry is an increase in the sector’s rate of growth and the return of the UK as the third largest developer of video games in the world. If we are to achieve these results then the Government must establish a more favourable tax environment and tackle the underlying skills shortages facing the industry.”